Last updated at 12:13, Thursday, 27 September 2012

Rookie keeper Mark Gillespie today said praise from Andre Villas-Boas and Carlo Cudicini has inspired him to keep aiming high with Carlisle United.

Mark Gillespie

The 20-year-old was complimented for his performance in the 3-0 cup defeat by the Spurs manager and goalkeeper.

Gillespie made several good saves to keep the Premier League stars at bay. And the young Geordie, making only his seventh senior appearance, said: “After the game Carlo Cudicini said ‘good luck’ to me, and I got his shirt, which was nice of him.

“Their manager also said well done and they are all great role models to look up to.

“You look at the quality they had on display and you would love to be playing against that regularly.

“That’s what we have to aspire to.”

Carlisle competed well but were eventually unable to hold off Villas-Boas’ stars.

Gillespie, though, helped United stay in the game for long spells, saving impressively from Iago Falque and Ryan Mason.

The keeper said he had relished the experience of facing such highly-rated opponents and called on the bumper Brunton Park crowd now to get behind Greg Abbott’s side in the league campaign.

He added: “It was a brilliant atmosphere and it was great to have Brunton Park full like that. Hopefully we can persuade a few more to come back on Saturday. Ok, we lost 3-0, but we were playing against some ridiculously good players and we tried our best. I hope that came across to the crowd.

“Especially in the first half, we gave it a good go, and we just needed that bit of luck when we had the pressure. Unfortunately we couldn’t get close to them when it mattered. Personally it has been a great experience – a month ago I hadn’t made a professional start so to come up against Spurs can only help me.”

United’s first-team players have the day off today before returning on Friday to prepare for Saturday’s home clash with Crawley.

Gillespie added: “The Spurs game is now out of the way and although it was always going to be a big occasion, the important thing is Saturday.

“We need to pick up where we left off in the league because we have been on a good run.”

Tottenham were handed a trip to Norwich in the fourth round draw.

First published at 11:26, Thursday, 27 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk